Rivers rerun elections: APC has no hope in Eleme – PDP LG boss

December 10, 2016 promises to be another big political match day in Rivers State in the sense that most of the national and state lawmakers that would drive the polity in the remaining two-and-half years would emerge that day, if violence permits. Political stakeholders and gladiators call the re-run elections ‘clash of titans’ as chieftains, members or supporters of the two popular parties in the state (PDP, APC) are in muscle-flexing mode to win the very important seats. Eleme is a hot bed of politics where lives are at risk at elections in recent years. Obarilomate Ollor, incumbent caretaker committee chairman of the Local Government, appointed by Governor Nyesom Wike, however, says the era of do-or-die elections in Eleme is over. For him, Eleme people especially the youths have imbibed a new orientation of peace and unity, irrespective of their political allegiance. Ollor in this interview with our correspondent, GODWIN EGBA, rules out chances of the ruling PDP in the state ceding any inch of space (victory) to their rival APC in Eleme and Rivers State East Senatorial Zone in general. Excerpts:

The Rivers State re-run elections into the Senate and House of Representatives would hold on December 10. What is your preparation in your Eleme Local Government Area?

We are fully on ground, and we are prepared for the election because our people are fully mobilised. PDP is the people’s party in Eleme and that is not negotiable.

Eleme is seen as a hotbed of politics where violence corrupts during elections. As the chief security officer of the place now, how do you guarantee safety of lives and property in the coming re-run election in your domain?

As I said earlier, Eleme people are being mobilised and being given the orientation and culture of peace to shun violence, killing and destruction of each other’s property because you are losing. Our day-to-day enlightment is against violence and rigging. We are preaching a level-playing ground where people should not see the political game as a do-or-die affair.

How are the political godfathers and the youth they employ as thugs buying into your message of peace?

What we are telling them is that life has no duplicate. When you lose it but politics remains for others to play from generation to generation; so when you die in the process, where is your victory? In every contest, there must be a loser and a victor. Defeat is not a sign of weakness. Eleme people must come to terms with each other that winners and losers must still eat, associate and live together without bitterness and rancour.

You always say APC has no chance in Eleme in the re-run, why do you think so?

APC will not win in Eleme because their programmes are not friendly and beneficial to our Eleme people. Our people have suffered a lot in the hands of their leadership. I don’t think it will be wise for Eleme people to vote for APC. Our people are completely disenchanted by their style of leadership.

How do you access Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration in Eleme?

We have experienced a highly commendable development in the governor’s administration. The development trend has spurred up our people and they are fully mobilized for the senatorial and House of Representatives. I have no doubt about the direction of my Eleme people on the Election Day for the PDP.

Insecurity seems to be overtaking the socio-economic space in Eleme, how are you contending with the challenges?

The situation was quite worrisome before I came on board as CTC chairman, but we have risen to the challenges through security synergy. We must note that the insecurity situation is not perculiar to Eleme but to other communities in Rivers State. It is also worthy to note that since Governor Wike became governor of the state, he adopted a dogged approach to security all over the state. He has made it possible through his security apparatus to checkmate the hitherto high level of insecurity not just in Eleme land but in other communities in Rivers State.

Can people in Eleme now sleep with their eyes closed?

That I can thumb up for our governor. Eleme is now stable, a peace haven for lives and businesses to thrive. Go out and sample people’s opinion to prove me right or wrong.

What is your own effort in that direction?

We cannot compromise security in Eleme as a whole. Eleme is the heart of the economy of Rivers State and Nigeria. It is hosting well over 200 multinational companies in operation. The Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone alone speaks volume in the nation’s economy (attracting over $75billion investment). I am happy and proud to say that the Free Zone is a peace haven for investors because of our peaceful disposition. I want to see every Eleme man, woman and youth as advocates of peace and development hunters in line with Governor Wike’s agenda and aspiration.

How would you assess the relationship between Eleme youths and companies operating in the land?

We have a situation where we do not have cases of companies being harassed or molested by unemployed youths because of the confidence Governor Wike has given to our people. In the area of infrastructure, he (Wike) has commissioned a gigantic water project in our Alesa Community, a very massive project I must emphasise. We also have our dilapidated and a near-dead general hospital situated in Nchia-Eleme being revived or renovated. Another one is reconstruction of road linking Ogale and Oyibo communities. These are many more of the fulfillment of Governor Wike’s campaign promises to Eleme people. He even vowed that he would offer a special project to any Local Government Area that would deliver the highest votes for PDP in the coming re-run election.

Doesn’t that promise sound like a political sophistry to you?

Not at all! Governor Wike is a man of integrity who would not want to stain his name, reputation and honour. For me that is very challenging. Our people are looking forward to that as a way of giving back to the party.

You promised your people empowerment when you came on board as CTC chairman, how are you fulfilling that promise?

We have a lot of our people being mobilised every month by the governor. As I speak, over 1000 Eleme people are benefiting from his empowerment scheme like waste management, and other training programmes. These things he is doing are what he promised during his campaign and I for one key into his development programmes as well.

How have you keyed into that?

At our local government level, whatever programme we are implementing is the governor’s programme. For instance, as he is empowering Rivers’ people at large; we also have ours marshaled out for our people. Basically, we are training our youths in various vocations such as welding. We are doing fabrication, computer literacy, fashion and designing, driving and lots more. We also intend to give the Local Government secretariat a face lift in our tenure.

What is your expectation of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone as a maritime hub in Nigeria?

My dream for the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone is for it to achieve a full operational capacity despite the economic recession we are facing today in Nigeria. Full implementation of that Free Zone will be enormous benefit to my people and Nigerians at large. You know the Free Zone is partitioned into phases. Now we are running phase 2. Phases 3-4 would serve as manufacturing sectors which would create job opportunities for our people.

I implore both the Federal and Rivers State governments to do everything possible to make the Free Zone operate at full capacity according to the original plan of its concept.